The trip back to Valeria wasn't that exciting. Once we reached Leeshmar, commerce was king, and everyone began wheeling and dealing with us. However, we didn't trade our wares unless Thea or I wanted something, which was almost always books.

I traded anything I had for books and amassed a small collection, despite how much I spent on even pathetic books.

The reason was simple: the books taught me everything I needed about literacy, how characters were drawn, and other factors. It was important because I was about to introduce the printing press to the world.

After all, how else would we create full brand value behind Emerson Company with Peggy's Soap and Zenith's Cosmetics? We needed uniformity.

Therefore, after we returned, I'd introduce the printing press, paper pressing, and cardboard. We had the technology for it now, and thus we'd take things to the next step.

We loaded up the next morning, boarding a large sailing ship for 50 coppers a pound for all the chocolates and goods. I also purchased "protection" but warned that I'd hold the man responsible if the ship's racketeering didn't deliver and people stole my goods.

He smirked until I released magical pressure strong enough to make him choke on the ground, gasping for air alongside everyone else. They took me very seriously after that.

The voyage took an entire month, which was pretty boring. I spent most of my time carving—printing press glyphs, chess pieces, and dolls. I even made one of Thea in secret and surprised her with it, making her squeal in delight.

The trip was pretty boring, as merchant ships were commercial. Thus, it was business-oriented. Therefore, we were just there for the ride.

Thea, Lyssa, Zenith, and I shared a room, and they spent hours every day listening to me recount books verbatim from memory. I read "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe, "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs, and "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell.

Naturally, they believed me to be the best storyteller in Solstice. I've never felt like such a fraud, but it made them happy and gave me something to do.

A month passed before we spotted the Emeric Beacon, a massive, iconic lighthouse in Ardenthal known as the City of Sails.

Ardenthal was the capital of the Aurelian Empire, the main competitor of Valeria due to its strategic commercial advantage, trading between Valencia and Novena.

Its ruler, King Emeric the Seafarer, was a sailor a few hundred years ago when he started a trading company between Novena and Valencia. He became egregiously wealthy and bought land until he had a self-acquired barony. At some point, it became too dangerous for the previous kingdom to attack him, as his company supplied food and manufacturing equipment. In the end, he grew so powerful that he ended up taking over the kingdom.

The moral of the story? If you're a king, follow King Redfield's advice and crush people like me when they're young or bring them to your side. If you're me, follow King Emeric's example, become egregiously rich, and tell everyone else to piss off.

Yeah, I like that moral.

"You turn fifteen this year, right...?" Thea nervously asked, fidgeting.

"Yeah," I replied, leaning on the railing as we approached the colorful city.

"Oh...." she whimpered, her words caught in her throat.

"If I marry Princess Redfield, it will be on the condition that it's a political marriage, and you'll be by my side forever unless you decide to leave," I bluntly said. "So far as I'm concerned, you're the only woman in my life, and everyone else can die... What?"

My face turned bright red when I looked over and saw Thea's gaze and got second-hand overwhelmed... ment. She was bright red and shallowly breathing while smiling and choking back tears.

"Did I say something wrong?" I asked. "Because if you want a genuine apology, I can... try?"

It wasn't my specialty, but I'd give it a shot for Thea.

"No, dummy!" Thea cried out, gripping me in a hug and crying.

I couldn't get more confused if I watched a dolphin trying to climb a tree. It wasn't good. Still, I hugged her back, something becoming increasingly customary in our lives for some reason. I hope this blows over.

"Don't leave me..." Thea sobbed.

'Didn't you just hear me?!' I thought in exasperation.

"I... won't?" I said, unsure what she wanted to hear because I had just stated she'd be in my life forever.

"GOOD!" she cried.

'Makes sense. Very logical. Rational,' I internally chuckled.

"Uh... sure...." I said. "Um, I'm bad with people, but.... If anyone tried to take you away from me against your will, I'd burn down their entire continent. That's kinda just... a fact."

Thea simultaneously burst into giggles and tears, making me appreciate the concrete, visual oddities you'd be able to examine if you saw a dolphin trying to climb a tree and the lack thereof of the scene playing out.

"Are you good?" I asked, looking around awkwardly.

Thea turned bright red and buried her face in my chest to hide her embarrassment. At least that part was a constant.

'I wonder if she also... likes me... like that....' I thought. 'We've been so close for so long it's hard to tell. We'll just have to find out what happens after I tell King Redfield I'll only consider marriage if it's a platonic political marriage.

In other words, let me keep my woman or prepare for war.

Does that make me selfish? Hah. If the king accepts, he'll get vast prosperity and technological aid, making him the strongest in Solstice. If his ego doesn't allow such a petty sacrifice, I'll seize his castle and library and make Valeria the strongest in Solstice. It's not like I'm asking anything of him at this point. So if he dies this year, he only has his lack of consent to blame!

Oh, that's right. I did say that I was interested in being a suitor... didn't I?

Well, they didn't give me a real choice. But still...

Wait, these bastards set me on fire!

They tried to seize my stuff while I was saving them from the plague!

King Redfield gave me a piece of land surrounded by death!

Fuck these people.

Thea or death.

That's final.

Period.

Of course, I couldn't just do what I wanted. The only reason I could refuse was that I could disappear to Elderthorn and amass power and technology for a few years because they couldn't attack unless they wanted to send out archwizards or the king came there himself. It would be a precarious route smuggling in people to grow, but we could do it.

After all, archwizards were powerful, but they weren't that powerful. They had calamity spells akin to small nuclear explosions, but the world wouldn't allow people to hand out nuclear explosions like they were candies. Archwizards could only attack what they could see, so they needed to be in a range that an arrow could hit. This was before chanting for 30 minutes to summon a calamity spell. Moreover, they changed the entire atmosphere and glowed, which was hard to miss. Before that point, we'd shoot them down long before that happened, and once they were on the ground, their magic was close to mid-range combat.

That was the reason no country built cities close to mountains, and they prioritized archers.

"Thea, you're staying with me for life," I declared. "That's not negotiable unless you decide you want to. If they try, I'll go to war with any kingdom. So let's start making friends."

***

Ten hours later, we made it to dry land and packed wagons with our goods. It was still winter in Novena, so there wasn't vibrant talk in the streets and roasted fish. Instead, we had to hit an inn for dinner and a night's rest.

The next day, I walked into the Ardenthal Merchant's Guild, where businesses registered with the kingdom. "How can I help you today?" a pleasant brunette asked, wearing a blue and white uniform. "Are you looking to register a business?"

I shook my head. "I'm actually here to conduct trade at kingdom-sized levels."

Her expression turned serious; she glanced at Zenith and Lyssa, wearing high-quality makeup, and immediately requested my patience as she got the president. No questions. It was as if they were expecting us.

Within five minutes, we were sitting in a luxurious room on the second story of the building, surrounded by carved wood furniture and various metals, animal hides, and weapons for his trophies.

The Ardenthal Merchant's Guild president, Seraphin Durendal, was a man of elegant maturity with keen emerald eyes, a crown of silver-streaked chestnut hair, a meticulously trimmed beard, and a perpetual cunning smile. This man is a serpent—perfect.

"I hear that there was a group of merchants that sent Cobra into hiding," Seraphin smiled, walking behind his grand oak desk. "That wouldn't happen to be you, would it?"

"If it was?" I asked.

"I'd thank you for increasing my profit margins by 30% this trip," he smiled. "Would you like a thank you?"

"I enjoy praise," I replied.

"Thank you, Mr...?" Seraphin asked with a sly smile.

"Everwood," I replied. "Baron Everwood of Elderthorn."

His expression nearly collapsed. "Wait, you're the prodigal baron of Valeria?"

"One and the same," I confirmed.

"What are you doing out here?" Seraphin asked, his eyes sharp. "I thought they had you chained down in Elderthorn to keep an eye on you."

"Is that what they did?" I asked. "According to my accountants, I've become Valeria's most famous metal products exporter and the top soap producer. I'm also generating more tax revenue than every noble below an earl."

The corner of Seraphin's mouth twitched. Despite his skill in reading people, he seemed at a loss.

"The kingdom must be suppressing my achievements," I thought. "Well, at least it got me through the door. That's what matters."

"Do you have King Redfield's approval to conduct trade with the Aurelian Empire?" Seraphin asked, narrowing his eyes.

"I'm here to conduct trade with the empire, Mr. Durendal," I replied. "I'm establishing a trade route between the Sorocan Empire and Valeria. Depending on our import limitations, trading with you may be the only way to get my goods where they belong. Such is the nature of monopolies, isn't it?"

Translation: You control the port between Valencia and Novera. To get my chocolate, coffee, and cosmetics to Valeria, I must trade with you to establish a supply chain—which is legal and expected.

Nuanced translation: I'm exploiting a legal loophole to make an illicit deal with you.

"You're just as cunning as they say," Seraphin smiled, leaning back in his chair. "I'll hear you out."

"I'll give you 20% of the verified exports that you transfer between Valencia and Veridia, payable upon arrival," I replied.

Translation: I'll give you 20% of the chocolates and cosmetics you successfully ship to my kingdom and will place large orders.

Nuanced translation: You'll receive a smaller cut if you're incompetent and my goods get stolen. Additionally, you'll handle all administrative work and resolve any issues.

"A simple and effective system that ensures protection and eliminates loopholes and bureaucracy. It's boldly elegant." Seraphin smiled at the ceiling. "How much product are you shipping?"

"During the growing season, one ton per week," I replied. "However, we will rapidly expand this operation, and the volume will soon multiply by a factor of ten."

Seraphin seemed like he had entered an alternate universe. Clearly, he wasn't prepared for this conversation, an unusual situation for someone in his line of work. "What products?"

"Non-poisonous cosmetics that moisturize the face, sweets that will take the world by storm, and a stimulant drink that will become wildly popular within a year," I replied. "All of them are new products."

I pulled a milk chocolate bar from my bag and handed it to him. Then, I retrieved two cups and a gourd and began brewing coffee with magic on his desk as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Try it," Zenith said. "It's very good."

Seraphin looked up as if he had seen a ghost. "Wait, are you wearing these cosmetics?" he asked, perplexed.

"That's correct," she smiled. "My products accentuate natural beauty instead of making you look like a doll. Isn't that wonderful?"

Seraphin looked at the chocolate bar and broke off a piece for both of us.

"Thank you," I said, popping it into my mouth and savoring it.

After sniffing it, he took a bite, and his eyes lit up like fireworks. "What is this?"

"I call it chocolate," I replied. "It comes in a dozen flavors, ranging from bitter to sweet."

Then I pulled out a box containing cooled milk and cane syrup. I added milk and sugar to both coffee cups and poured the filtered coffee from the gourds into them.

Seraphin picked one cup, smelled it, and tasted it. "Too sweet!" he exclaimed in surprise. Initially, he reacted negatively, but when the sugar and caffeine hit his bloodstream, his pupils constricted slightly, and his body shuddered. In a split second, he changed his opinion and took another sip.

Drugs.

"These are the main products we're seeking to move through the Aurelian Empire," I explained. "And I will give you 20%, a number that will reach the tons, in exchange for you shipping and delivering them to the Veridia border."

"What about the amount paid for bribes?" he asked.

"That comes out of your cut," I replied, unwavering. "I will safeguard the Nimba Road from Luminara to Leeshmar, so you will only be responsible for shipping within your territory. Naturally, as a benefit of our deal, I will also protect your merchants as long as they travel according to our schedule."

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Seraphin narrowed his eyes and closely studied my facial expressions. "Can you truly protect the Nimba Road from Cobra and the others?"

"The five individuals I have stationed in Soracan fight B-ranked beasts daily in Elderthorn, as that's the lowest-ranked large beast in our vicinity," I replied, sipping my coffee. "The D-Rank Willaboars on the Nimba Road are merely prey by comparison."

"Is... that right?" he asked, his face stiff.

"It is," I replied.

There were approximately five minutes of silence following that. While Seraphin was the type to charm, coerce, and pressure people into deals, the offer I presented him was too incredible to ignore. After all, he would stop losing a third of all the products he handled annually, an amount in the millions, just by accepting my deal.

Nevertheless, he never accepted the initial offer, and I was a threat. Not only physically but also politically, as I was exploiting political loopholes for explicitly political reasons.

I aimed to establish alliances in the event of an imminent conflict and accumulate funds for a war chest. Moreover, the Ardenthal Merchant's Guild's supply chains would thrive with their 20% cut, and people would become addicted to coffee, chocolate, and cosmetics. Afterward, I would have two countries under my influence.

Since I can and will protect my suppliers, using a higher percentage was a way to make the man dig his own grave. However, he would be too wealthy to care.

"Why are you doing this?" Seraphin asked. "Going behind the kingdom's back?"

"In six months, the kingdom will summon me as a suitor for the crown," I replied. "I've saved Princess Rema's life, played a key role in mitigating a pandemic, and revolutionized multiple industries. Yet, I reside in a place surrounded by B-rank beasts in an area that originally had no arable land. Forgive me for hedging my bets."

Translation: Valeria attempted to kill me, and I don't trust them now. Therefore, I'm establishing partnerships if they betray me during the suitor's tournament.

"You're quite the individual," Seraphin said. "However, you're a risk. So I won't do it for less than 30%."

"Then I'll use a different port," I replied. "It's riskier, but I can get closer to Elderthorn at Nemo. Then we can collect the goods with arimounts."

He huffed and looked away. "You'd rather trek through the Nightshade Forest than part with 10%?"

"I can transport the goods using any of the A-rank mounts I possess. Additionally, the person who owns the product has a powerful wyvern she rides, hence the logo," I explained. "We don't have a problem. Will you give up free protection for 10%?"

Seraphin stared at the ceiling, vexed that a teenager was playing hardball. Despite my status as the famous prodigal baron, it was still obnoxious. "25%."

"21%," I replied.

"24%."

"21%."

Seraphin's eyebrow twitched. "23%."

"22.5%, and that's the highest I'll go," I declared. "I'll be saving you far more than you'll earn from me, so I'd say my deal is already quite generous."

He wryly smiled, slightly bitter that a teenager was outmaneuvering the guild master. "You have a deal. How much do you have right now?"

"Ten tons of chocolate, five tons of coffee, and a million gold worth of cosmetics," I replied, sipping my coffee. "I'm confident you can move that much, yes?"

Seraphin's eyes widened in shock. "Show me."

I led him to the stockpile, showcasing the various cosmetic products and explaining them in detail, along with the price points I had set for these "first-release" products that would take the world by storm. I also assured him of the robust protection measures for trade secrets, the deal with a city, and exclusivity, guaranteeing a lack of competition in the near future and the indispensability of theft. Soon, there would be over 50 guards overseeing the operation, making it a legitimate military operation to bring us down.

Seraphin gulped after hearing all of it. "Consider it done," he said. "We'll depart in three days. I'll personally accompany you to the border, as I assume you'll be joining them, right?"

"Correct," I replied, reaching out my hand.

He shook it, signifying a mutual understanding between our worlds.

***

We spent two days as guests at Seraphin's estate, indulging in luxurious fish meals, sampling aged wine, and enjoying baths befitting the nobility. Despite his commoner background, he didn't look, act, or make purchases like a commoner, which led me to believe that he wasn't as relatable as he portrayed himself. However, that didn't bother us.

We embarked on a week-long wagon journey over the Tomald Mountains on the third day. It was mostly a hilly region where crops were imported through trade, serving as the main source of wealth and prosperity, albeit precarious. The mountains, with their blistering cold winds, significantly slowed our progress.

Nevertheless, with the assistance of large beast skins and insolated tents, we managed to traverse the mountains. We then crossed a semi-arid stretch called the Cora Plains, which made one feel isolated and bordering on madness due to the absence of visible surroundings for a full day, giving the impression of being completely motionless.

Luckily, Mountain Rekka, a key landmark of Valeria, came into view a day later, giving us hope as we trekked through the cold and lifeless purgatory.

As promised, we finally reached the border, where I unloaded the agreed-upon 22.5%—over a ton of goods.

"It was a pleasure, Mr. Durendal," I smiled.

"Just call me Seraphin like my partners," Seraphin replied, shaking my hand. "I look forward to obtaining a full trade permit so that we can engage in proper business."

"As do I," I chuckled, fully aware that it would be impossible without a war. After all, they wouldn't allow me to sell weapons stronger than Valerian Iron to a rival country. Nevertheless, I kept my true business endeavors hidden.

With those words, we departed.

There was an additional week's trek through the forests to avoid Ironfall, which was between Valencia and Veridia, where our home was. We finally made it to Silverbrook the next week, where I met with Peggy's representatives. With a complete supply chain in place, they were constructing additional walls that would triple the size of the city. Nobles from all over Valeria and merchants from various countries flocked to the city to purchase substantial quantities of soap. Now, instead of announcing our new cosmetics and chocolates, we would "sneak them in" using these established routes.

My approach wasn't purely political; it was a form of guerrilla marketing. I would release products without a name, generating hype through rumors and word-of-mouth. People would feel compelled to get them before others, and from there, it would snowball.

It also served a political purpose. Once people became addicted to our products, they wouldn't question any deals because they were associated with the region. These were additional benefits.

Finally, after a few day trips to dine with my family and spend time with my younger brother, I returned to Elderthorn.

***

As we flew into Elderthorn, thunderous applause and cheers greeted our arrival. Despite it being winter, two thousand people had come out, most without coats. It didn't happen immediately, but when the scouts in the towers announced our arrival, everyone in the vicinity emerged, including the blacksmiths, who quickly extinguished their fires.

"Isn't this amazing?!" Thea exclaimed. "They love you so much, Ryker!"

I looked at the crowd with mixed emotions and exhaled, the warm steam mingling with the cold air, grounding me in the present.

It was surreal. In my previous life, I was shunned and isolated due to my memory and aloof demeanor. However, not only was it expected, but I was also adored in this life.

After Thea nudged my shoulder, I raised my hand in triumph, and the crowd cheered.

Even Lyssa wore a warm smile, and Zenith proudly smirked, her massive grin and roar stealing the spotlight, as anticipated.

***

Upon disembarking, people immediately swarmed me with requests for building permits, increasing food production, and a dozen other matters that had accumulated in my absence. Once I addressed each one, I focused on a personal project.

During winter in Elderthorn, when most people had little to do besides chopping firewood, it was the perfect time to focus on education.

Naturally, people tended to the cattle and other livestock during the time. Carter was still making metal, as there had no better heating in Elderthorn, but it was mostly quiet otherwise.

That meant it was a perfect time to get people educated.

"What do you need this time?" Carter sighed. "Please tell me it's not another mortar. The trigger pin on those balls of yours was a nightmare."

The balls I had Carter create were hollow. After packing them with gunpowder, a pin on the top had flint on one end adjacent to the steel. When the mortar struck a target, whether a wall or the ground, the impact would ignite the pin, causing an explosion.

Ironically, high-caliber explosives were easier to produce than regular bullets. The precision required to create small projectiles was much more nuanced and intricate, and any mistakes could result in the barrel exploding. Additionally, crafting primers posed its own set of challenges.

That's why we initially started with mortars. After a year of work, Carter had finally accomplished it—we now had nearly modern siege artillery.

"No, this time I need a special frame that can hold these," I said, presenting a wooden piece with a carved glyph. The glyph protruded outward from the wood, resembling the letter 'A' in the Roman alphabet.

"I know it sounds like Tim, but what's it for?" Carter frowned.

"It's a stamp," I explained. "When you dip the letter in ink and press it onto parchment, it leaves behind the corresponding mark. The frame you're building will allow us to assemble these letters and mass-produce books."

Carter's eyes widened in shock. "Books are one of the most expensive things in Valeria, and you're planning to mass-produce them?" he asked.

"Yep," I replied. "Not just books, but also our logo on packaging and instructional materials, whether through pictures or letters. It's about communicating instructions."

He blinked twice in disbelief. "Hell yeah," he chuckled. "I'm gettin' a cut on these things, right?"

"Of course," I replied. "You'll make logos for everyone for the next five years unless there's overflow. You'll be so busy with the various packaging for our products that you won't get to enjoy your mansion."

Carter grinned. "Well, what are we waiting for?" he asked. "Start carving these things out and I'll make reverse molds."

Molds were made in reverse, as pouring steel into something reversed it once it was flipped over. Therefore, I had the challenge of creating thin, reverse letters.

It wasn't a problem. After all, there was nothing but time for the time being. I made over a million gold between soap and steel productions. Combined with the tax revenue from the barony, I had enough to wage a small war.

What was important was that I had enough for my people to live. After all, people couldn't attack us in Elderthorn.

"I should reach out to Tina and have her start producing a wood shredder to create cardboard and posters while I'm working on these," I mumbled, walking to the other blacksmith guild.

Tina Lenna was a woman with a black pixie cut, the bad type with a chop top that looked like it was cut with a knife and a foul mouth. However, she tried her best to keep the swearing in check around me, as I was the baron of the area, which gave me king-like power over the territory.

"Tina, I need you to shred trees into powder with this design," I announced, giving the woman a rotating drum design with blades. Once wood entered it, it got shredded from a saw blade attached to the water wheel, much like a meat grinder.

"What was that?" she asked. "You need me to shred some shit?"

I sighed. "Yes, will you shred some shit? As fine as they can get. I'm talking about obliterating these little pieces of wood until they're particles. Can you do that?"

"Ah, shit," she grinned. "Sure can. Give'me them drawin's you got, and I'll throw 'em through the ringer. They'll come out more shredded than a Valerian ego."

I chuckled in amusement. "That's how shredded I need it."

***

Weeks passed with me doing nothing but carving out letters and working with Carter to make Solstice's first printing press, which was about to revolutionize the world.

During this period, I had my people cut down white trees that we would soon turn into paper.

It wasn't a hard life for a bit.

Once I finished all the molds, I left and saw Tina, who gave me the most backward and twisted wood torture machine. I mean, horribly redundant and ineffective, using eight times as many blades and processes as possible to ensure the greatest possible wood suffering imaginable before it finally came out. However, however! The wood came out as thin as flour, far better than I imagined possible.

"It's perfect," I grinned. "We'll get this bad boy up. In the meantime, I need a square, mesh window made out of ultrafine steel for you to press some shit," I announced. "Make it super fine, as if you need to sift some shit. We're going to create this into a pulp and press it down. Got it?"

"Ah, hell. When you ask so nicely, it's really hard not to," Tina laughed.

"That's what I like to hear," I chuckled.

I had Tim make extra waterwheels and stockpile them for a moment's notice. After getting a lengthy explanation of the "improvements" he made in pseudo-language, we set up a new wheel, and he built a house that would be a mill. We would create a windmill to do this same grain process in the future. However, there was no need, as we weren't an exporter.

After getting it set up and getting the loggers to cut down wood and feed it, I started on the pulp-making process.

That was my project for the next two weeks, and I paid dozens of farmers and other out-of-commission laborers to help build the facility while Cater worked on reverse molds.

***

After the mold and deckle were complete, I got them from Tina and gave a class to my new paper makers.

"First," I began as I prepared the sawdust, "I need to soak this in warm water to soften it. Traditionally, people use big hammers to beat in the water to loosen up the fibers, but we're automating it with a waterwheel pressing down a steel rolling pin."

They watched the rolling pin touch down into the water with wide eyes. Then they nodded in understanding.

I moved towards the large pot I had prepared the night before, feeling the anticipation of my crew around me. They were eager to learn, their eyes soaking in the sight of me stirring the mixture. The softwood was turning into a pulp under the heat and quicklime mixture. I smiled at the knowledge that this same quicklime powder also helped us make soap and would soon aid us in building structures.

"This is a mold and deckle," I explained, lifting the parts I ordered from Tina. "These look like picture frames, but the mold has a mesh screen while the deckle doesn't. It's easy to use. Dip the mold and deckle into the pulp and drain the water. This leaves a thin pulp layer on the screen, which becomes paper."

While they marveled at the sight, I transferred the still-wet paper onto a cloth. Our steps were straightforward yet vital. The paper was layered on linen, pressed to remove excess water, and then coated with gelatin for protection. This was our formula for creating high-quality paper.

Our cardboard creation process was much the same. It was like thicker paper, a mass of pulp pressed together and rolled multiple times to add density. We added a crinkled layer, a detail that set cardboard apart. Creating the glue was a humble process involving raw potatoes left overnight to separate the starches. When mixed with water over low heat, the starch transformed into a reliable adhesive.

We soon found ourselves working around the clock. The manufacturing line of Everwood Paper Company was bustling, with workers molding the cardboard, stamping indents to fold it into boxes, painting them, and stamping our proud logo using our new printing press—the Everwood Company. I couldn't help but wish we had access to sodium hydroxide for aluminum foil. But that would have to wait until we had electricity to create it with electrolysis, and I turned my attention to an even more important matter, the start of the new year.

---

Thea woke up at the start of the new year like clockwork. She didn't stretch her arms, yawn, or snuggle her blankets while asking for a few more minutes. No, she was excited that morning.

After all, she would get to see Ryker.

"I hope he didn't pull another all-nighter," she muttered, getting dressed. Despite having a fashionable half-trench made from warpshire pelt, shirts crafted from insulated nightweaver spider silk, and jeans made of soul-mana-treated cotton, she ignored them and the other fancy clothing in her closet and opted for a maid's dress. "I also hope I can sneak a peek at him sleeping...."

As soon as those words left her mouth, her face turned bright red, and Thea shook her head. "Don't even think about it," she scolded herself. "You're just his maid. It's time to get the food."

Thea stepped out of her lodge into the pitch-black darkness. Despite the food court not being open, she encountered a woman already cooking aromatic food by candlelight. "Morning, Leah," she chimed.

"You're as chipper as ever," Leah said, her eyes bloodshot. It was clear she wasn't thrilled about being up so early. However, she had a steak cooking alongside wild red eggs and peculiar greens with blue streaks.

"What are you cooking for Baron Everwood today?" Thea smiled, examining the food.

"How many times do I have to tell you to ask what 'we' are eating—the 'we' referring to you and Baron Everwood," Leah frowned. "Not everything revolves around him. You need some girl time, you know?"

"What are you cooking for Baron Everwood today?" Thea echoed, giving off an ominous aura.

"I swear, little lady," the cook sighed. "You already know what it is, but I'll tell you anyway. It's sly shrew steak with yellow draka eggs and ruka greens."

"That sounds wonderful!" Thea clasped her hands. "He loves everything here!"

"That's why I'm cooking it," Leah chuckled, trying not to roll her eyes.

The cooking continued for another ten minutes before Leah sent Thea off with two plates of food, watching the cat woman scamper off to Ryker's room with a peculiar smile. "Well, I can't fault that young lady for her affection. It's adorable."

***

Thea cracked open the door to Ryker's cabin, peeking inside cautiously. She saw him sleeping peacefully, to some extent. No one could approach his room without him noticing, but he wasn't getting up and looked comfortable, which inexplicably made the maid happy.

"Please come in, Thea," Ryker softly requested.

Thea gasped for a second and then scampered in. "Good morning~" she chimed, warmth and genuine joy evident in her tone. "Breakfast is here."

"You're the best," he smiled, sitting up. "Please eat with me. It always brightens my day."

"As you wish," she replied, smiling. When she sat down, she looked like she wanted to feed him but settled for a fold-out table instead, sitting across from him as usual.

The two chatted briefly as they enjoyed a meal prepared from A-rank beasts reserved for leaders. Once they finished, Ryker stretched his arms. "Let's get going," he said. "We have something important to do for the new year."

"Of course," Thea chimed. "Just let me take care of these dishes."

"Not today," Ryker replied. "There's something urgent. Let the maids handle it—just for today."

She puffed out her cheeks but acquiesced. "I'll at least open the door."

"As you wish," he chuckled.

When Thea opened the door, thousands of people met her gaze.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LADY LOCKHEART!"

Her face turned bright red as they called out in unison, pulling strings on handmade party poppers made from the new colored paper, complete with a spring mechanism.

"W-What's going on, Ryker?!" Thea said, covering her face.

Ryker ruffled her hair. "It's your day," he replied. "I'm going to treat you to anything you want. A 'date,' if you will. Good food, music, and a trip to a nice location. Of course, we can do whatever you want. I just thought you might like the suggestions."

Thea's eyes filled with happiness and tears of joy. "I'd love to!"

The crowd cheered in unison, and they walked out together, enjoying a full day of celebration. As promised, he took her to a special waterfall he had discovered a few months earlier, and they had lunch there before heading to the hot springs to relax and gaze at the stars. It was the happiest day of Thea's life.

When it was over, Ryker insisted on tucking her in for once, and he read her the story "The Wedding Gift" by Thomas Raddall, a tale of enduring love and the lengths one goes to reunite with their beloved. He knew her well and chose a story that explored such themes. As he narrated, she fell asleep, and he quietly left for the night.

It was a nice day that brought a smile to Ryker's face in the darkness. "I'm glad I could do something for Thea for once," he mused. "Now, all that's left is to visit Silverbrook and see the kind of impact the cosmetics I brought have had."

With those parting words, he left to get a night's rest for once.